Arc de Triomphe en Paris |PRINT|

Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile in Paris, standing at the western end of the Champs- Élysées at the centre of Place Charles de Gaulle, formerly named Place de l'Étoile—the étoile or "star" of the juncture formed by its twelve radiating avenues.  

Designed by Jean Chalgrin in 1806;  It set the tone for public monuments with triumphant patriotic messages. Inspired by the Arch of Titus in Rome, Italy- the Arc de Triomphe has an overall height of 164 ft, width of 148 ft and depth of 72 ft, while its large vault is 95.8 ft H x 48 ft W.  The smaller transverse vaults are 61.3 ft H x 27.7 ft W.  The location of the arc and the plaza is shared between three arrondissements, 16th (S & W), 17th N, and 8th E.  

The Arc de Triomphe honors those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces.  Beneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from WWI.